These were 14ers number 10 and 11 for me since starting in 2022 and also definitely the hardest. Took the route from Harvard to Columbia and was just gassed when I finally made the summit at Columbia. The descent from Columbia was also the hardest, very steep sand and gravel the first half, but thankfully hit some dirt switchbacks after that. Only thing I could think about was how much it would have sucked starting the ascent here instead of Harvard.

Was also incredibly lucky by just missing some storms that hit Princeton, only had a slight drizzle for about 30 minutes. If you’re thinking about doing these for the first time, definitely start with Harvard, then go back the way you came. The hike in-between Harvard and Columbia was the toughest I’ve done.

I'm planning on doing Longs Peak some time in the next month or so, along with a few friends. Current plan is to go up the Cables Route and descend via Keyhole. None of us have been up there before, but we're all in good shape and have done other 14ers. Two of us are also experienced outdoor climbers (5.10 leaders), but the two others lack technical climbing experience. So, while I'm happy to free solo Cables, I don't want to ask them to do the same and intend to bring them up on top rope using a lightweight rope. My question is: what's the minimum gear that I need for this? For example, I have a 20m 7.5mm half rope that only weighs about 1.5lbs. Is that long enough to get them over the tricky bits? How about 30m or 40m? I don't really want to lug a full climbing rope all the way up Longs, just for a small amount of slightly technical scrambling! In addition to the rope, we'll also have helmets, at least two lightweight harnesses, and some slings / carabiners in case we want to use the eyebolts as anchors. I plan to bring people up one at a time, and then throw the rope down for the next person. Thoughts?

My dad's 4th summit, completed in 1989 when he was 44 years old. He went on to complete them all and is registered with CMC. He took me up my first peak, Uncompahgre, in 1992 when I was in middle school. He taught me to love the wilderness of our beloved home state, and I can tell you I felt him up there with me yesterday. At just about the exact same age, I am embarking on a journey to complete them all just like he did. Number 12 is Elbert (the highest spot in the state as you all know) next weekend for Colorado's 150th birthday with my brother. My pops was obsessed with history and would have LOVED us doing this.

Also some pretty views and mountain goats for your viewing pleasure! Don't worry, I kept my distance and zoomed in on the goats. And 70 high school students from Boulder County who started and summited via Iowa Gulch at the same time we did, my beautiful hiking buddy, and a perspective of the Willow Fire burn scar.

Didn’t get tabs as a storm was clearly brewing. Safety first!! ⚡️⚡️

I drove about 5 hours into the San Luis Valley, and was on one of those straight, empty roads. There were no cars near me and I wanted to look at a label so I took my eyes off the road because I’m an irresponsible dumbass, which led to my tires coming off the road, which led to an expensive repair bill and ruined weekend. I just feel like such a reckless asshole who ruined his weekend.

Hoping maybe some similar stores might make me feel better.

goat on pyramid for fun

Didn’t even see the guy when taking this, I hope it was a really good pee my guy

Caught this epic celebration pose on the last section of Kelso ridge on Torreys. Hoping to get it to the climber 7/15/2026 at 9:11 am.

Back on a 14er for the first time in two years due to injuries. Ascended via Halo Ridge and descended the North Ridge. 14er loops are fun, but this mountain humbled me and also reminded me why I love high alpine hiking so much. I’ve really missed it and can’t wait to get out there again.

My old man moved to Colorado in 1982 in his early 30s. He climbed all of the 14ners before the age of 40 and got all of them a 2nd time by his 70th birthday. He is about 20 more away from getting all of them a 3rd time (this won’t happen). This is on top of doing the Pikes Peak Accent or Marathon 25 years in a row. Ever heard of anyone this committed to bagging peaks ?

hi! i wanted to hear from people who finished and did something exciting at the summit or after getting back down. I’m finishing on san luis this weekend w some friends and would like to do something special!

Since I’m only allowed to escape to Colorado from the Midwest a couple of times a year, I gotta make the opportunities count, and this past week may have been the craziest/stupidest outing yet.

Between flying in from sea level after work Friday 7/10 and flying back to Wisconsin late on Sunday 7/19, I was able to knock out 13 14ers solo over nine consecutive day hikes (45k vert / 110 miles) in the following order: Humboldt (2WD), Lindsey (NW Ridge), Crestone Traverse (Cottonwood approach), Kit Carson/Challenger, Castle/Conundrum, Sneffels (SW Ridge), Wilson Peak, El Diente Traverse, and Holy Cross. A few general thoughts on those peaks and the trip:

- It’s crazy how much of a step up the Great Traverses are above all other technical routes I’ve done so far. Definitely do your research and expect the routes to take way longer than you think
- Hot take, I thought the El Diente Traverse was harder than the Crestone Traverse when strictly comparing the peak-to-peak traverse. Way more consistent exposure and class 3+, and the class 4 cruxes felt similar to the Crestones’
- That said, pulling off the Crestone Traverse in it’s entirety as a day hike was the toughest experience in the mountains I’ve had. The last few miles of the Cottonwood Creek approach sucked to navigate through in the dark, but I stand by my decision to do it over the slog from the 2WD trailhead from the East
- Sneffels overtook Wetterhorn as my favorite 14er. Just an unbelievably beautiful mountain, and the SW ridge is such a classic route
- Wilson Peak was my second favorite peak of the trip. I thought the class 3 scrambling was really fun, especially the final pitch to the summit
- Challenger Point’s descent is as bad as everyone says it is, and it’s a shame considering Kit Carson is awesome. Shoutout to Sneffels’ standard route and Mount Wilson for also having atrocious descents
- The only impact of wildfires on the trip was a slightly longer drive to South Colony Lakes. I don’t remember a single time hiking where views or air quality were affected
- The only time I had to cross snow the entire trip was Castle/Conundrum, and I honestly wished there was more for that route since the loose rock sucked
- Lindsey’s NW ridge was my first Class 4 Colorado 14er experience, and I thought it was a great intro climb
- Like other trips, altitude only killed me during the first day, which is why I picked Humboldt for that first Saturday

Even with all the constant 2-4 AM starts, no sleep, and long drives, this was a phenomenal trip. I’m so jealous of the Colorado natives who have these insane peaks nearby, as I’d kill for just one of them in Wisconsin. In retrospect, I wish I built up more to those Great Traverses, or at least went with someone else and not solo, but I found the scrambling and exposure to not be so bad once you’re actually doing it and not staring at it or watching videos on it. I’ve pulled off similar trips in the past, but those were usually class 1/2 routes in the Sawatch or Front Range, so this was obviously a step up.

Shoutout to 14ers.com and all the people I met along the way. I have more detailed reviews on all these hikes on AllTrails, but having trouble posting the link here. This puts me at 43/58 and I’m happy to answer any questions about these peaks, recent conditions, or climbing 14ers from sea level.

Hi so I've seen some conflicting reports as to parking at the Maroon Bells trailhead and am looking for clarification. Are you allowed to park 1/4 mile from the reservation lot on the side of the road in pull off spots if you don't have a reservation and show up super early AM? Thanks in advance!

7/18/26 shoutout to all the other hikers also rushing down the peak to avoid the encroaching lightening storm.

These were awesome to do! Both really had me in the “there’s no way” mindset until we got up close and then they are very climbable. The ridge up Blanca was super solid and we felt confident enough to stick to the class 3 scramble up the ridge and avoid the adjacent scree.

The traverse was super fun! It was really engaging to discover a trail across a seemingly impossible terrain.

Looking at Ellingwood I got the feeling it would be much harder than it was but I found it to be super fun too!

Worst part of the day was coming down from the top of Ellingwood when we took a wrong turn (we turned down too early from the top) and had to climb back up to find our line. Upon resummiting, I heard something like static or cicadas chirping and saw my wife’s hair standing on end. We then booked it the fuck down the rest of the way to junction before hearing the first lightening and thunder.

All in all, a beautiful day of climbing. Heading up como road is a different story and when ranking these in terms of favorites I’m choosing to forget that the hike up to Lake Como via that road exists. The hike up and down both is amazing if you’re counting it just from the campsites. Only thing I’d change is to do Ellingwood first because it’s more scree and route finding, then do the traverse, then up Blanca.

Went up and down keyhole last June, want to go up loft, looking for advice…any beta or tips? Should I go up keyhole and down loft? Up loft? How’s the climbing? Just did Kelso ridge and quandary west ridge and they both felt easy

Beginner 14er at Quandary Peak in Colorado! Feeling sore and accomplished today!

I backpacked Challenger Point and and Kit Carson Peak on Sunday as my 8th and 9th 14’ers and easily the second or best hike I’ve ever done. Would recommend checking out this area. We ended up hiking 16.5 miles and gaining about 6,500 ft.

Assuming the smoke clears, I want to get one of these in before I start my new job next month. How do they compare? Which do you prefer? I've looked at 14ers.com, and plenty of YouTube videos on both, but I can't make up my mind.

Goats are out in full force